| At the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month — when the armistice came to end the First World War — hundreds of people gathered for a service in City Square.
As veterans proudly held their banners aloft, the crowd heard a call for everyone to work together to bring “freedom, justice and peace” to the world.
High above, on Caird Hall, flapping in the wind, were the national flags of Britain’s partners in Europe. Among them Germany, France and Italy — old enemies now become friends.
The two-minute silence was a chance to reflect on those lost, but also to hope that the generations still to come will know brighter days.
The ceremony began with a procession of councillors, led by Depute Lord Provost Charles Farquhar, and other local dignitaries from City Chambers to the steps of Caird Hall.
Before them and the waiting crowd, a colour party of veterans bearing the flags of service associations marched up and stood to attention.
Prayers were led by Rev Gareth Jones, from the Scottish Churches Industrial Mission. He asked for everyone’s thoughts to turn to the many lives “given and taken away” in conflict and also those who still bear the pain of loss from war and terror.
The veterans dipped their banners to the ground as Brian Sullivan, from the Discovery Brass Band, sounded the Last Post. Piper Gordon Coutts, on the balcony of City Chambers, played a lament, its notes gradually fading away into silence.
After the two minutes passed in quiet contemplation, there was a final prayer for “wisdom, courage and hope” then Reveille.
As the crowd dispersed, the members of the Dundee Combined Ex-Services Association had another duty to perform. They gathered at the Twin Cities cafe to watch chairman Victor Herd present a photograph to the cafe staff in gratitude for their help during the commemorations of Victory in Europe and Victory over Japan days earlier this year.
A short distance away at Dundee High School more than 1000 pupils and staff attended a parade to mark Armistice Day.
Lord Provost John Letford was among the guests, along with Tayside Chief Constable John Vine.
The ceremony had a special significance for the school’s Combined Cadet Force, as it was parading with its new banner for the first time.
It was presented to them by Major Roy Steele, who has been with the CCF for 33 years and was recently awarded a third bar to his Cadet Forces Medal. |
